Mashup - FunFacts.

(Contains Videos)

Last week, I helped facilitate a lecture on Global Etiquette at the Ahmedabad Management Association (across from IIM). Instead of giving a lecture that revolved around a list of "DOs and DON'Ts" in other countries, we decided to help 40 MBA students from Mumbai understand that Global Etiquette simply (or not so simply, if you are socially awkward) requires being people savvy, perceptive, and adaptable. Although we attempted to use slideshows/fun-facts/panel discussions to help get the point across, we failed (miserably). These students have apparently been handed a list their entire life of "DO's and DON'Ts" and putting them in an environment which required them to draw their own conclusions and voice their own opinions was well... just dumb on our part. In any case, I learned a couple of cool things (from Prof Ram Kumar) during this attempt at sparking insight:

1. Bhutan would be an awesome place to visit, but the country limits the number of tourists to 5,000 per year and requires that you spend a minimum of $200 a day while you are there.
2. The logo for Chupa Chups (in case you are confused as to what a Chupa Chup is: It Ain't the Butterfly, It's the Chupa Chup) was created by Salvador Dali. It hasn't changed since its inception in 1969.
3. There are tribes in Africa known as "Cargo Cults" whose ancestors potentially came in contact with planes during WWII, and have mimicked the idea of an airport using straw and other raw materials, in an effort to get planes to return. Their inability to understand modern technology has led them to believe that creating this environment and worshipping/praying to straw planes will help them return.

On an unrelated note... how do you teach creativity and innovation to a group of people who have been spoon fed exactly what to do your their entire lives? Sigh.

It Ain't the Butterfly, It's the Chupa Chup.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maverick_87/2521200671/

[Written on July 15]

So last night, I was at J.Lee’s place. We were getting set to go watch the midnight premier of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (it was awesome!!!). I’m a huge Harry Potter fan and I even wore my Gryffindor cloak and brought my wand!

Sorry…I digress. Okay, so back to the topic at hand. We were in the kitchen grabbing a snack and all of sudden Jess pulls out a Chupa Chup! Have you ever had one? If you thought tootsie/blow pops were good (for they record, they aren’t), you will think these things are godsend. They are delicious. She got them as a party favor from a wedding she was at. What a great idea…no?

I first had Chupa Chups when I was studying abroad in Santander, Spain during high school. The university I was taking classes at had a food-truck right outside the building and one day I happened to try one and became hooked. I literally had Chupa Chups and tiramisu ice cream (the other treat I got hooked on) everyday for the rest of my time in Spain.

Anyways, if you haven’t had Chupa Chups, I suggest you get a hold of some (if you’re in SF, you can get them after your meal at Tropisueño)… and remember it ain’t the butterfly, it’s the CHUPA CHUP.

Note: Apparently the work "Chup" in Tamil (the language) means “suck.” Oh how the 'world of words' amazes me.